Google sends white space open letter to FCC

Since Google had success in convincing the FCC to establish the C-block as an “open” zone available to all applications and mobile devices, the company has moved on to its next agenda item with the FCC. Google is now pushing the FCC to make “white space,” the spectrum between television stations, available for use. The hesitation the FCC has had in making the “white space” available is the fears expressed by television and other manufacturers of wireless devices like wireless microphones that the use of the “white space” would create interference. Google believes it can assist in creating the technology that would prevent such interference.

According to an article by BusinessWeek, Google believes the “white space” can be used to deploy broadband solutions to “under-deployed rural areas.” Google, in an open letter to the FCC, also said the “white space” could be used with its new “Android” operating system to provide low-cost mobile broadband to “Android” based devices. Google termed the potential new means of wireless broadband Internet “WiFi 2.0.”

One idea Google proposed in managing allocation of the “white space” would be through an online central clearinghouse. This clearinghouse would create a “dynamic auction” in which spectrum band could be licensed based on power for a unit of time. The total power in any location would be limited to a cap.

To encourage development of technology that would enable the use of “white space” devices, Google has volunteered its technical services free of charge. The key technology behind the use of the spectrum would be spectrum sensing technology. This would ensure no device is causing interference with another. It would also help ensure the “dynamic” real-time airwaves auction model could become a reality.

I don’t blame Google for attempting to influence FCC policy again. The company was successful in doing it once. It makes sense for it to try again. After all, it has a vested interest in the utilization of the “white space,” since it is supporting the Android mobile operating system.

Use of the “white space” would indeed open a whole new market for broadband and mobile device services. Still, I understand why other companies, concerned with the interference such devices could cause, would be hesitant to promote the use of the spectrum. There needs to be a definitive demonstration of technologies that would prevent interference.

The idea behind a “dynamic auction” has to really pique the FCC’s interest. This could be a cash cow for the FCC and the U.S. government. Google is smart to propose such a notion. This really puts some dollar signs behind the idea of offering “white space.” Right now the spectrum isn’t making money for anyone and is going unused.